ShipTeaser

  David Reckless

  “Aren’t you a sight for sore fug eyes.” David spat, looking at Sarah as she y down on the small bed in her cell, wearing loose tracksuit pants and a pin sleeveless t-shirt, with s or strings for her to make into a on. It’s a damn joke though, if the redhead wanted out, none of the guards here could stop her. She had a number of burns and deep gouges on her body still that must have been excruciatingly painful, but they were slowly healing. Sarah always did heal the fastest of us all, perhaps as she’s so defensively focussed…

  Sarah turned listlessly, even her fming red hair seeming to have lost some of its lustre. “Ach, David, it’s ye. e tae gloat, have ye? Well, save your breath, I’m nae in the mood for it.”

  “Gloat?” David snorted sourly, further annoyed by her attitude. “Are you a fug idiot? Scratch, that, I already know you are, stupid redhead. What the fuck do we have to gloat about? You and that bitch Mary have ruined everything.” He paused. “It’s god-damn lucky the schoolteacher and the little pet of our Princess pulled through, or I’d rea there and snap your neck here and now.”

  Sarah’s blue eyes flickered a little at that. “Aditi and Mary-Jane lived? That’s a great relief tae me.”

  “No thanks to you! They would have died without help. Even so, I doubt they’ll fight again. You stole away their hopes, and for what? This?” He gestured to the small cell, feeling aggrieved, furious.

  “Aye, ye don’t have to make me feel bad, David. Ye think I’m nae regretting everything? But first, who’s your friend? I hought ye would need security tae deal with little old me. He’s a big one.”

  David turo the hulking, muscur human form or, his bald head and pinstripe suit making him look like a gangster. “It’s the troll who kicked the shit out of you, Sarah. Grulgor. He’s a good one. We’ve been sparring, trying to get me bato fighting trim. He hold his drink, too.”

  Grulghed at that. “Grulgor says you are not so bad yourself. Your strength is rather puny, but Grul says your battle sense is excellent. As for booze, you should e visit our Territrulgor says we have much excellent alcohol there.”

  “You’re damn right I will. Looks like we’ll be w together anyway.” David said, before turning back to Sarah. “I don’t need a bodyguard for you, Sarah. You’re done. Shield broken, a spent force. Such a fug waste!”

  Sarah ughed bitterly. “Ye think I nae ken that? I always felt ye were a bit dim, David. It’s fihough. Girls like the dumb ones. So… how’s the Princess? She’s nae visited. I thought she might have…”

  “She’s busy. With the god-damn mess everything is left in, and the public ag up, you think she’s got time to visit a traitor like you? Be thankful even I bothered to e see you. What were you thinking? That little fuckbag Donovan, he was going to… shit, I ’t even say the words. You know what he wao do to her, and you let it happen. No, helped him along! If our little Fae girl hadn’t chopped him up I’d be fug castrating the piece of shit myself. She’s quite the little firecracker.”

  “So, into her now David? Ye always did have a wandering eye.” She snorted, and Grulghed mogly. No kidding. I’m not into having my arms and legs bisected.

  “Give me a break. I’m David Reckless. Sure, I’ve suffered a few defeats, but I’m a King waiting to recim his . The mountain may be high, but I’ve seen those at the top now, and I’ll reach them. As for the little girl, I’m not into snatg other men’s women. I get my own.” His eyes betrayed a touencholy.

  “Aye, I bet ye .” Sarah seemed to agree, her blue eyes sad. “So, Donovan. I swear, I knew he was obsessed with Eleanor, but I hought he would ever go so far as tae try and … shit. Nae, I make nae excuses.” She leaned ba her bed. “So, Donovan, how is he?”

  “Better than he’d be if I had my way.” David sneered. “That Shaeu girl sliced him up into a meatball. All he does is curse and scream. I was worried the little coward would take the easy way out and bite his tongue, but he doesn’t even have the balls to kill himself. I guess at least that bitch Mary Stuart had the guts to fight to the end, even if she was insane.”

  Sarah’s expression faltered. “Now, Mary was doing the Lord’s work. It’s nae right tae judge her.” Her burned hand ched, but she didn’t have a rosary, that had been fiscated of course.

  “It’s nae right…” David mimicked sarcastically, as he looked through the bars at her. “Give it a rest, redhead. Even your own Pope said that her as were wrong. A bit mealy-mouthed and two-faced, if you ask me, as he did say she acted out of faith. Does that matter? Dead is still dead, crimes are still fug crimes. And what the hell do you, Donovan and Mary Stuart have to show for all this?”

  “Grulgor thinks power rules. You lost, so the victor decides who was right.” The troll grunted, and David shot him an exasperated gre.

  “e on man, not helpful. You’re n, but it’s not helpful. Look…” he turned back to Sarah. “We’re screwed now without outside aid. Two dead, two crippled, nearly a dozen who turned rogue, though the ones who got cold feet, maybe we use them again. It’s not like we grow on trees, redhead. Avalon is ruined, and even Raidre’s people lost a lot. If you wao protect the Tower, you did a shitty fug job.”

  “Aye. The results speak for themselves, I ken.” She snorted sadly. “So, is this a st visit, David? What’s going tae happen tae me?”

  “I know what I’d like to happen.” David ched his fist, emotions a storm within him. “Schoolteacher and our Asian Princess-lover both made it, but you had no way of knowing that, so I’ll say it. You murdered two of our friends, were going to murder me and the old geezer, and the Princess would either have died or been fucked up by that rotten little meatball. Then you’d have stolen Britain’s hope, and maybe even ended up t the damo get what you wanted? What do you think all that means?”

  “Aye, I get it.” She sighed softly. “In the end, I was too te, ye ken? But I did regret it. I used my st strength tae try and stop Mary from killing ye all.” Her eyes were full of self-loathing. “But aye, too little too te. I’d already gone past what be fiven.”

  “Grulgor says he uands.” The troll spoke. “Grul tried to kill the princess a number of times. But Grulgor was defeated and swore Oaths. The princess did not trust Grul for a long time. Now she does. But Grul… he worked hard. Others… others were killed, and rightly so. Mercy is only for the unassaibly strong.”

  “Aye. God fives, but there’s nae way ye will, David. Nor Eleanor.” Sarah sighed. “So, what’s the verdict?”

  “It’s not decided. We’ve pnned a reanisation of the teams, but thanks to you fuckups and traitors we’re now btantly short-handed. Now we know more about Japan, and their Kyoto disaster, depriving us of time and strength is the same as telling the public to die if shit happens. I don’t think yod is going to be very happy at that.” He decred, and she squeezed shut her eyes and fist.

  “Aye, I would hink so. If… if it’s oo much trouble, when ye see Eleanor, tell her… I’m sorry.”

  “No fug way. Tell her your fug self if you ever get the ce. But words don’t wash away blood and hatred. You sold her out, in the worst ossible, all for this utter stupidity. If you’d succeeded, I could at least say you were a ing snake, but you damn well failed, so all you are is a fug treacherous loser. But… I wanted you to know that the other two will live.” He turor. “e on, big guy. Another nine rounds, like your boss. Octagon rules.”

  “Grulgor will not go easy on you. Otherwise you will not get stronger.”

  “Sure, sure. You’ll be eating those words soon enough.” As they turo go, he looked back at Sarah one final time, and her lips were f silent words, most of which he couldn’t make out. Though the final ones he could. Sorry isn’t going to cut it. And why thank me? Sarah, you redheaded fug moron… in the end, all that’s left for you is regret. As they turned away, leaving the cell behind, David let out the bitter sigh he had been holding. I don’t know what your final fate will be, but I expect it’s not going to be kind, as it shouldn’t be… nothing is worse tharayal…

  ********

  Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Diana Windsor

  “He’s lookier.” The silver-haired girl, Shiro, said as the two of them looked down at the sleeping body of Henry. The horrible seared flesh on his face had recovered, and though he was still missing an arm and a leg, and apparently his body uhe hospital gown he wore was still horribly burned, he was at least breathing unaided now, if still in a a.

  “Yeah, Aki knows his stuff. I went through it myself. Well, it was just an arm in my case, I still had both of my geous long legs.” Shiro grinned, and Eleanor couldn’t help but giggle, despite the sad situation.

  “That sounds like hubris, but I suppose I cede.” Eleanor looked at Shiro, who was a work of art, her beauty impossibly symmetrical and intimidating.

  “Cheg me out, huh? Sorry Princess, I don’t swing that way. Besides, I’m already engaged.” she flourished her strange silver ring. “Aki owes a lot of us new rings, that all have to be legendary loot. Poor bastard.”

  Fortunately her personality takes a lot of the intimidation out of her appearance. She’s very… frank, and almost childish ititudes. It makes me wonder what sort of life she has lived. “I am an ordinary girl.” Eleanor denied her. “I have no i in women, I assure you. One day, I’ll marry, and…”

  “I’m just teasing. Lighten up.” Shiro smirked, and Eleanor reddened. “Look…” Shiro tinued. “… I was horribly buroo, my arm and eye were destroyed, and my body was a wreck. Hurt like hell, let me tell you. But Aki made a deal with the Night Parade… uh, that’s like the Japanese Fae, I guess? Maybe? I’d have to ask Shaeu for all the details. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yeah… Aki got the most powerful healer they had to e and help him, but in the end, his skills ended up on a level with her, or maybe even a bit better, with humans, anyway?”

  Eleanor nodded, listening carefully. “So what I’m trying to say…” Shiro finished. “…is that Aki will get your brother ba his feet. He’d probably do it even if you didn’t ask. He’s a total sis, so when he sees an elder brother who got hurt for his younger sister’s sake, it really gives him the feels.”

  “I see.” Eleanor imagihat, a bit hard to recile the ruthless warrior who had blown off his own arm to take down Mary Stuart, with someone who was so doting towards a younger sibling. But then, I remember when he brought his three fiancées in all dressed in fabulous gowns to the ga, making a statement. He be bold, yet kind, it seems…

  “Yeah, so don’t worry about it. It’s in hand. Instead, worry about what yoing to do about Aki’s offer. He’s out there with Shaeu and Hyath now, seeing if the first stage will work. Tan seemed impressed and thought it was feasible, so we’ll see.” Shiro pressed, and as she looked at her brother, she frowned.

  Grandmother has left it to me to decide. I think this whole disaster has scared her. But for me…

  “o overthink it.” Shired. She looks good even doing that. I thought Asians were supposed to have smaller chests? Eleanor couldn’t help but look down. I think she might be slightly bigger than me. No, why does that even matter?

  “paring? I wouldn’t worry, chest size isn’t everything. Aki loves me, and he also loves Shaeu, who has small ones. I get this a lot. No point paring yourself to me. I was born wrong.” She grinned. “Though there’s one woman who pare though.”

  “Oh? Someone as unfair as you?” Eleanor couldn’t help but be curious.

  “Hey, I ’t help the way I was born. It wasn’t all fun, in fact, it was almost no fun, until Tan and Aki.” Shiro pouted. “But yes. Tsukiko. Oh, you’d probably know her as the Diviner. She’s as beautiful as me, born wrong as well, though for some reason she didn’t have the terrible weakness I did. Rather unfair. But her life was harder in other ways.”

  “The Diviner? Didn’t she die in Kyoto?” Eleanor asked, curious as to why Shiro kept referring to her almost as if she was still alive.

  “Yeah, dead. It hit Aki hard. After all…” her obsidian gaze narrowed. “…he fortified Kyoto to protect her, tried everything, and it still wasn’t quite enough. But in the end, Aki’s lucky. He’s got a trick. Let’s just say, you met Na, even being dead isn’t necessarily the end. Haru could attest to that.”

  Yes, they did say Na died and she was given a body somehow. As she pondered, Shiro pressed on. “Aki wants to do the same in London. Sure, what he’s asking fht seem a lot, but trust me, he’s got a lot of experiend bag. Trust him, and he’ll trust you.”

  “I know. He saved my life, is saving Henry and has awoken Mary-Jane and Aditi. If he asked me to die to pay for that, I could. But what he asks isn’t mio give, only to guard…”

  “Yeah, no way Aki would ask you to die, don’t be so dramatic. He did all this to stop you dying. I get that orayed, you fear betrayal everywhere, but Aki doesn’t have a treacherous bone in his body… ugh, unless you t falling for irls, I guess. But even that… you know, before he started going out with Eri, he was a ball of steel, never leaking his feelings. He even dehem for me! And being ho, Eri, total yahat she is…”

  “Yandere?” Eleanor queried the unfamiliar word.

  “A woman who has an obsessive love, so much so you fear she might pull a knife on people over it.”

  “I see. A bunny-boiler then?” Eleanor said, and Shired.

  “Is that some British term? I don’t get it. But yeah, Eri’s objectively geous. Pretty gmorous for her age too. And she’s been madly in love with Aki for years and years. But instead he ran away. So when he finally succumbed, and then Shaeu wormed her way in too… he broke, I think. Now the steel ball melted, and he’s an o of accepta’s annoying in some ways, but… well, without that, I’d have missed my ce. So yeah, Aki won’t turn on you. If you’re worried, well, there’s a simple solution…”

  Eleanor looked away from her smile, unfortable. She’s right. Even now, I’m not able to trust. But… I have to decide soon. I rebuild alone? Should I, even if I ?

  “e on, it’s time to visit your friends. That should cheer you up!” Shiro said, and as they ehe room, Eleanor felt her heart fill with happiness.

  “Miss Eleanor. Thank you for visiting.” Mary-Jane said, her face still pale, but she was sitting up in bed, looking otherwise well.

  “Oh, Eleanor, I am so relieved to see you unhurt. The doctor said all was well, but I did worry!” Her Indian-ated British made her sound chirpy yet calming. “And who is the dy beside you? I do not think we have had the pleasure?”

  “I’m Shiro.” she said, smiling politely. “A friend of Eleanor’s, I guess? We say that, right?”

  “She’s one of the beors who came to our aid and rescued us.” Eleanor expined. “She’s with the man who saved your lives.”

  “I prefer friends.” Shiro smiled. “But it’s not untrue. You pair were very lucky, though not everything worked out.”

  “We know.” Mary-Jane answered sadly. “I have tried to call upon my magic, but I ’t. I feel a lot weaker too.”

  “I am afraid I as well have failed, Eleanor.” Aditi sighed. “I fear we will no longer be of use to you.”

  “I don’t care about that.” Eleanor embraced Aditi, before doing the same with Mary-Jane, eyes damp. “I’m just gd you lived. You did your duty, you were my friends, I couldn’t ask for more. Don’t worry about anything else, Britain and the Royal family will always look after you.”

  As they wept and hugged, Shiro cleared her throat. “Sorry to break into this toug reunion, but useless isly true.”

  At her words, they looked at her, so she eborated. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re both signifitly weaker, and you’ll struggle to grow. But struggle doesn’t mean you ’t. Aki fixed up your chakra work when he saved you, and even gave you the Fae one. I won’t go into details, as it’s plicated, and I’d be asking Tan for most of the details, but basically, it makes you stronger. And not all of the strength you gained was taken away when your Favours were. A portion of it was left behind and ied, and your body retained a lot of strength from the ether you’d been abs over time.”

  “You still have your ons, too.” Eleanor nodded, uanding.

  “So yeah. Your days of fighting on the frontline might have ended for now, but you still be useful. A properly ruory needs more than just warriors. Besides, you learn other teiques, just like Aki taught your Princess, here.”

  “That’s true. Water element. It saved my life. More than once.” Her face fell. “Mary-Jane, Aditi… I had to kill Alistair and Samuel. They were trying to sell me to Mary Stuart, sell us all… I still feel…”

  “Hush, Miss Eleanor.” Mary-Jane said, smiling benevolently. “It wasn’t your fault. You did what you had to do. I know that doesn’t solve the pain or the guilt, but… I get to go home to my husband and children, in part thanks to you. So… thank you!”

  As Eleanor sobbed out her grief, she caught the sound of Shiro talking to Aditi. “That woman sure does sound like a schoolteacher or something.”

  “That is because she was. Or is.” Aditi said, her voice kind, as she watched the two hug again. “Mary-Jane and Sir Arthur were like parents to us otlefield. Is he well?”

  “Yeah, Aki patched him up. Good as new. Pissed off with the traitors and threatening to spike their heads oower Bridge, like the olden days, or so he says, but… yeah, fine. So, you seem a level-headed girl…”

  “I thank you for the pliment, I did not catch your name, I apologise.”

  “I never said it. I’m Shiro. Anyway… there are ways to level up that don’t rely on what you’ve lost. Some… yeah, too problematic, for various reasons, but I know of others, and Aki probably knows more too. Then there’s always the ce of getting a rept Favour, if you are really determio get bato the fight…”

  That happen? I suppose it must, since Sarah stole their status as Gods’ Chosen. That puts some of the questions and suggestions Akio has been making into perspective. I see… Donovan, Sarah, Kathy, the others…

  “So assuming our allias solidified, I’m sure Aki will be happy to impart knowledge. The thing he’s probably best at is helping et stronger. Even if it falls through, I’m sure he’ll at least give you enough to get ba your feet.”

  “That would be most generous of him. I must meet and thank this gentleman for all his work, and saving my life.”

  “I wouldn’t.” Eleanor said suddenly, as Mary-Jane offered her a handkerchief for her runny nose and watery eyes. “You’re rather cute, Aditi. He might set his predataze on you. Shiro here is already one of his fiancées. One of.”

  “Oh yes, I remember seeing him now.” Aditi nodded sagely. “At that ga, with those three girls. They were very beautiful, and the dresses were most lovely.”

  “That’s not the point…” Eleanor said, before calming herself. “I guess, her is what I’m saying.” She spped her cheeks, knog herself out of her funk. “I don’t need you to push yourselves, but… it ’t hurt to have options, it?” Seeing Shiro’s triumphant grin at that, Eleanor flushed. Don’t bully me! I’m just happy that my friends survived, and that Henry is going to live. And that there might be hope, no matter how small, that some things go back to the way they were…

  ********

  “Anooother failure.” Hyath said, watg the small mushrooms wither and die with her silver-violet eyes. “Most annoooying.”

  “It’s fine.” I ughed, rather exhausted myself. We had been at this for a number of hours, and it wasn’t our first attempt. Fortuhe calm was over, the slowing almost entirely dimihe dark unlight of the skies overhead shimmering with dark greens, bcks, purples and blues. That meant that for every hour that passed in the Boundary, less than thirty minutes assing ba the Material. “This is absurdly difficult, we’re not treekin or pntkin, so getting it right is going to take a while.”

  Around us the selkie of Bermondsey Isle were looking on with curiosity, their isnd surrounded by the fi source of water element in Eleanor’s Territory. Their numbers were diminished after their deaths in battle, but Raidre had hoheir sacrifices in the Fae way, and they were now looking to rebuild. He was watg us with some curiosity, Shaeu beside him.

  “There is no way this actually be done.” Raidre was shaking his head. “If it could, the treekin will be angry.” His scowl deepened, his humanoid features more expressive than when he was shifted to his seal-form. “Those bastards of the Court, always with infighting and politics. Pathetic.”

  “Things have ged, Raidre.” Shaeu observed, a small smile on her face. “The Court is not-not what it was. Now I do not-not cim all is rosy, the Queen still refuses to see all-all but the Seven Princes and Princesses of the Seelie, and remains secluded. The Wild Hunt pierce our borders as they will-will it, and the Unseelie lurk, ever dangerous, ever hateful. But-but…” her smile turned vicious. “…we have taken the first-first steps towards ge. Prince Morioth has agreed with my proposals.”

  At that Raidre snorted. While Shaeu and he were debating, Hyath had begun to gather her nature energy, meaning it was time for me to step up myself. Using my remaining arm to grasp the Lantern, violet fmes burning, I noticed Hyath looking at me.

  “Akio, when will yooour arm recover? It paio see it looost.”

  “Soon.” I promised. “Most of the adherence has been removed, I should be able to finish up ter. I done by tomorrow, anyway. And my sis keeps nagging me, demanding video proof it’s fixed. So I have to shut her up if nothing else.” I smiled fondly at that. Sure, my sis could be a pain sometimes, but she was very g. “For now, let’s give this ary.”

  “Ooof course.” Hyath nodded happily. She rodug spores, using a pieushroom as a base and a seedbed. That alone would hardly suffice though. Time for me to get to work…

  I elled aether into the Will-o’-the-wisp, the alive but spiritless shell abs it, accelerating slightly the produ of spatial element, the purple fmes intensifying, vivid violet sparks scattering. Doing so rapidly corroded the body, as it was like runnira electricity through a puter chip, overlog it. But Healing is the cooling, keeping it running without perma damage…

  With my Split Thoughts running, it wasn’t too difficult to up the geion severalfold, without destroying the Will-o’-the-wisp. It felt bad, a bit immoral, but the Fae was effectively dead, aainly didn’t know or feel what we were doing, so I took the pangs of sd used it. Hyath, who had little grasp of spatial element herself, was trying to i into the growing spores of the Ring Gate mushrooms she was duplig, but it was a frustrating process, and ofteo backsh, her body suffering damage. Not that she ever pins. Hyath is too used to it… I don’t like that.

  “This time we will dooo it for sure!” Hyath promised excitedly, as the mushroom expanded, a little spatial elemeering it. I tinued my work, while Shaeu tinued lecturing Raidre.

  “I certainly see-see why you hate the Court and chose to distance yourself from it. My own father, Prince Shaetanao himself, could not-not resist sending me away, likely to die. My maids, many of them were agents, and did-did betray me. It is folly, infighting while our enemies are legion, but that is simply-simply the Fae way, is it not-not? Trickery and mischief, which over time has grown into politid treachery. It must-must end, we must unite. And not-not just with each other, but with mortals we trust too. My marriage will be one-one of these erstohat will underpin our new alliance.”

  “I still ot believe it.” Raidre snorted. “The selfish, useless half-breed weasel princess, you have ged.”

  “I have. Through hardship, meeting Akio, Eri, Aiko, Hyath and many-many more. We ge, and others ge us. You must-must ge too, Raidre. After all, have you not-not sworn Oaths with Eleanor?”

  “I did. She was worthy, and Bermondsey Isle alone could not stand against her and her rades. Though she promised us prote…” he looked at his diminished kin sadly. “That did not happen as we agreed.”

  “Just as the Seelie Court could not-not protect the Spring, or Samandrastrae. There are no-no absolutes in life.” Shaeu shook her head. “I too lost kin, who ever be recimed. They died in Kyoto, and I grieve for them all-all. But they died well, and bravely. As did-did your selkie, Raidre.”

  “f me? Now I have seehing.” He drooped his head. “I do not bme her. She fought to the end and triumphed, even if she had aid.”

  “Yes, and aid she could have again. All she has-has to do is spare a little for Akio, and he will repay her tenfold, no-no, a hundredfold. You are one of her fidents, Raidre. You - sway her.”

  “I am letting you practice your craft on my Isle, princess.” He sighed. “The Oaths swive me autonomy over Bermondsey Isle. I have made my choice.”

  “Indeed you have-have.” She said with satisfa, looking over to me and Hyath, as Hyath groaned in disappoi as another mushroom died, bursting apart, the spatial element too intense for it to absorb.

  “Again! I was cloooser, I know it! So annoying, Hyath thinks thooose stupid treekin should grow them faster, is that nooot all pnts are gooooood for?”

  Raidre ughed heartily at that. “Hah, those uppity Fae are annoying, I agree.”

  “You will always be wele in our Territory.” Shaeu promised. “And by-by all means, visit the Spring. The water element there is quite-quite marvellous, and I am making… renovations.”

  “Perhaps I shall do that.” Raidre muttered, watg as we went through a number more iterations, until finally, Hyath roared in joy.

  “It lives, it grooows!” she cheered. The small mushroom, only the length of a finger, resembled those of the Ring Gates. She set it down carefully, and with another surge of nature element, brown sparks dang, it took root, and began to draw in the abundant e breath of the Thames.

  “Good job!” I hugged Hyath, who blushed and giggled, and Shaeu walked over and patted her head, giving Raidre a triumphant look, to which he shrugged.

  “There is still much to dooo.” she admitted, though she was still delighting in the praise. “Growing more mushrooms is but a matter ooof time. I have tasted the spores, I knooow them now. But I still dooo not know how to link together the mushrooms, so that the gates will pair. Mooore work is needed.”

  “We’ll be here a few more days at least.” I said, still hugging her. I want to get home, we’ve been here half a week already, but there’s too many loose ends to tie up. I’m not ing back to put out fires again. “This isn’t just for here. I thought we were ahead of the game, but ime we definitely will be. If air a Gate here, air o Ise as well, so that when danger es calling for Yukiko-san, we’ll be ready.” It’ll plunder our supply of Earth element, supp two m Gates, maybe more than two… but if Eleanrees to my deal…

  “She will.” Shaeu seemed to read my mind again, her amber eyes gleaming. “After all, what-what choice does she have? Who else she trust? And you are not-not exploiting her. If anything, she will gain far more than she will give up. You are such-such a weak-willed male when it es to females.” She said fondly, her criticism mitigated by her sweet smile. “I do not-not bme you. Besides, the experiments were… intriguing, no?”

  “Yes, they were.” I gazed over towards the Tower, my Eye glowing. The edifice resisted most of my attempts to probe it, and I was unwilling to have Shiro buff my Eye again, as I didn’t have time to be unscious, Last time I fought it off, but if my Eye was forcibly Ranked up again… yeah, nht now. What I had noticed was that the Tower drew iher as well as adherence, and the closer to the Tower, the more it drew, growing expoially. When I was a distance from it before, the effect hadn’t been that noticeable, and I wasn’t looking for it as the ether wasn’t mine. But now…

  “Yes, it is not-not any surprise her Territory is so barren, even disting the destru of many-many Buildings during the betrayal.” Shaeu agreed. “Within the area around the Tower, more than half-half, and as much as seventy pert, of the ether is plundered. Her-her Spires are also ill-positioherefore losing much of their bounty. A shame-shame.”

  “That’s another reason she should take the deal. I think the Tower doesn’t just take, it offers bes too…”

  “Yes, if she enters from the Trounds, she is strengthened.” Raidre agreed. “Though the reverse is true. Also, sometimes she would tell me these Buildings you speak of would miraculously spring up row much faster than expected, though she says it happened only a few times.”

  I see. It takes, but sometimes gives back. And it seems to be growth-reted. Makes sense… “All right then. Hyath, keep growing the mushrooms, I’m going to work on my arm a bit. Shaeu, care to help?”

  “Of course.” She smirked. “Not-not only do I wish you restored, I also wish to hone my skills.” She turned her head, looking at Raidre. “Think about what I have said-said, and observe what we do. I believe you will make the right choice!”

  “She’s as wilful as the rumours.” Raidre snorted. “I don’t know how you put up with her.”

  As Shaeu and Hyath ughed, I looked at her fondly, as we began to slowly extract the remaining tangle of adhereainting my wounded Astral body. “Oh, she’s rather sweet when you get to know her.” Yes, she certainly is…

  *********

  “At least I’m getting some sightseeing done.” Shiro said, as we left the grounds of the famous school I had visited before. “It’s a damn shame we have to be in disguise.” Shiro was wearing a hooded jumper and sungsses, an odd bination, and her hair was tied bad hidden. Hyath, Shaeu and I were likewise disguised, and were making efforts to not draw attention to ourselves.

  “Over the st few days we have seen-seen several sights in London.” Shaeu disagreed. “You should not-not be greedy. We e bay time.”

  “We , ’t we?” Shirhtened. “It’s still my first ever trip abroad, and it’s with Aki too. So it’s special and I want to enjoy it.”

  “Do not-not be greedy. More is to e.” Shaeu chided her, and Shiro tossed her head, irritated.

  “I know. Don’t mind me, I’m just feeling strange. Family is a … touchy subjee. Speaking of, how was your sister?” She asked me.

  I flexed my renewed arm, grinning. “She’s fine. I still got a massive lecture about being careful and not hurting myself again, she’s really holding a grudge over the i where she burned herself. But it’s o know she cares. Though I should try not to worry her again.”

  “No ce.” Shiro snorted. “sidering what we do, injuries are going to keep happening. Even I got aerated nicely. You could almost see right through me. Anyway, I sent that video you took to Hayato and the others as well. They’ve not called because they know you’ve been too busy, so I’ve been keeping them in line. Shaeu’s been talking to Eri, Kana and the others too.”

  “I have been busy.” I agreed. I have of course spoken to Eri and the others over the st few days, but most of my time when I’ve not been healing or w with Hyath on the Ring Gates has bee on politics. I’ve spent hours talking to both Prime Ministers, Fujiwara-san and others. It’s really a miracle we had any time for leisure at all. Not needing to sleep much for the win, I guess…

  “There’s one more thing…” Shiro said, and behind her hood and gsses I could see her face was red. “My dorm-mates called me. They saw you on the news and reised you. I could have de, but… look, you’ve seen the news. In Japan they might be keeping the details low-key, but there’s no way you’re not beiio all. So… yeah. I got teased a lot. They want to go out for drinks with us sometime. They say they have to vet you, make sure yood enough to be my boyfriend. Damn, why did you have to tell them the truth?”

  It was fun seeing Shiro so flustered. Taking her hand in mine, I ughed. “I told them the truth because I’m proud I bagged you. And I’ll never deny it.”

  “Shit Aki, that’s a low blow to my heart. Oh, shut up Tan.” She snorted. “Tan says she’s going to sleep as she ’t bear all this flirting.”

  Shaeu and Hyath demanded I said the same about them, which I cheerfully did, and then Shiro spoke up again, looking around the small suburban streets of the modest toere in. “So, this is where you grew up, right?”

  I he memories faded, but clearer than they had been in years due to my stats. “Yeah, before mom regnant with Aiko, I lived here. It’s not something I think about much, I was too young, but it was niough.”

  “Cool. Seeing a part of your past is a good thing.” Shiro agreed. “Uh, I’m not good with meetiives. I’ll take this as a trial run for your parents. My stomach hurts…”

  Shaeu ughed at that. “Taichi and Emily are fine-fine parents. You shall have naught to fear. Emily especially will adore you.”

  “I hope so. My parents… shit, who cares about them. Not me, I assure you. I only need my new family.” Her face was even redder. The streets were quiet, and we arrived at a familiar house, Hyath giggling softly to herself, as I went and rang the doorbell. Moments ter Grandfather Jack opehe door, and on seeing us, ushered us in.

  “Get i in. I don’t want our nosy neighbours to see you.” As we stepped inside, Hyath curtsied.

  “It is good tooo see yooou again. I hope this house has been blessed with gooooood fortune?”

  “Funny you should say that, my girl.” Jack grinned. “Despite the time of year, the garden has been right bountiful. Evelyn loves her roses, and they’ve e back from the brink. A leaky tap we were going to get fixed simply started w again, and the water is always the perfect temperature out of the shower. Or are we imagining that? I’d have said so, but now…”

  Evelyn came out with a tray of tea and snacks. “Akio, Hyath, wele back… oh, I don’t reise you two dies. Wait, no I do. I believe we saw you in photographs. Are you…”

  As Shiro pulled down her hood and took of her sungsses shaking out her luscious (and slightly longer, I now noticed) silver hair, she smiled, her slight vulnerability and nervousness rather endearing. “Yep, err… yes, I mean. I’m Shiratori Himeko, but please call me Shiro, I don’t really like my name. I… I’m Aki’s fiancée.”

  “You are always surprising us, Akio. I thought it was hard to take when you showed up with those nice girls from before, but… there really were more? And such a beauty too. I know Motoko and Natsumi said so, and they seemed too o lie, but… seeing is believing.”

  “You’re too kind.” Shiro managed, her English formal, which didn’t suit her and made me smile.

  “Oh, not at all. Your hair is geous, dear!” Evelyn looked at it, excited. “Your children will surely be handsome aiful.”

  Shiro went scarlet at that, and I asked her to not tease Shiro. Hyath, having been here before, was already helpi out the tea and snacks, humming cheerfully, while Shaeu was getting a bit jealous of all the attention, and had removed her own heavy clothing, revealing her normal look, her yukata today a stunning white and red.

  “Oh my God! It’s her! The you would bar my way girl!” Evelyn said, before she suddenly realised she had bsphemed, putting a hand on her mouth.

  “She is! I saw you on the news.” Jack agreed, though he seemed less surprised. “With all the talk, I had a few suspis, and she looked rather like one of the girls in the photographs, though I couldn’t see her face because of the hat. So…”

  “You need not-not ask, Jack, Evelyn.” Shaeu gracefully procimed. “I am Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, princess of the Fae, and Akio is my chosen husband. I am most-most hoo meet more of his family. Please take care of me-me.”

  “Take care of you? From what the news says, you’ll be taking care of us.” Jack ughed heartily. “Everything is so shog. But… what’s really going on?”

  “That’s a long story.” I said. “Oh, but first, I apologise for not telling you the truth before. I didn’t want to uproot your lives. I just wao extend a little helping hand, as family. And bring us back together. Aiko’s looking forward to meeting you. Speaking of…”

  Jack waved it away. “It isn’t like we don’t get it, do we Evelyn?” he said, as she looked at us fondly. “How would you expin it all to us without sounding crazy? Even havihe news, read the papers, listeo the Pope himself, it doesn’t seem real.”

  “He could have demonstrated.” Shiro said unhelpfully. “Oh, thank you for the tea by the way.”

  “You’re wele, dear.” Evelyn said warmly, and Shiro seemed fused by the familial closeness, despite them having only just met. Though I suspect that’s more a refle of how lonely her own family life was.

  “Maybe so. But I uand. We both do. Now if only our damn neighbours were so uanding. I hope they didn’t see you. Since you were oV, they’ve been hounding us, asking if you were our retive. Gossip vultures, I’d like to give them the back side of my hand, God damn them… uh…” he crossed himself. “Never mind that. So, Akio, Evelyn nearly had a heart attack when she saw you on the news. You were clearly missing something…” he peered at my arms meaningfully. ”I called my daughter, and she said you’d be fine, but it’s hard to believe. So they knew…”

  “I spoke to young Aiko, and she was vihat your arm would e back. She’s got a lot of trust in you. It must be hard, being such a respected big brother.” Evelyn teased me gently.

  “Hardly. Akio loooves Aiko very much, he would be very sad if she did nooot worship him.” Hyath piped up.

  Damn, eveeasing me now. “She doesn’t worship me, that’s nht. She’s just proud of her big brother. And what big brother doesn’t want his sister to be proud of him? Henry was the same, right?”

  “You mean the Prince? A terrible thing that. He was so young still.” Evelyn said sadly.

  “Do not-not fear. As Akio’s arm returned, so too shall the Priurn to health.” Shaeu decred, and as they expressed surprise, we told them the whole story. Several times we had to refill the tea, and they listened enraptured, occasionally asking questions, before I finished.

  “… so that’s it.” I said, smiling. “Sorry I didn’t tell you. But now… you’re ing back to Japan with us when we leave. If your neighbours are in the know, others might be. Until we arrange suitable prote, I don’t want to take any ces. Just sider it a long vacation and the ce to see the family again. Don’t worry about money or aodation, it’s fine.”

  “But we don’t have a passport.” Evelyn protested, and Shiro sighed.

  “I don’t think that matters. We didn’t eveer legally ourselves this time. We fly you out easily enough.”

  “It’s all a lot to take in.” Jack said, shaking his head. “The two of you aren’t human, and you’re possessed by a God? That’s bsphemous. But then, I’m not one of these who ’t be openmihe Pope himself said so, and while I’m a good Church of Engnd man, I agree. Faith is a private thing.”

  “I do appreciate that.” Shiro’s hair burst into fmes, her eyes turning a brilliant red, as if to prove a point. “If only all of the followers of the Orue Throne were as reasonable.”

  “Pinch me, I’m dreaming!” Jack said to Evelyn, who dropped her cup and saucer, which Shaeu and I caught with wind element, grabbing them and lifting them to the table without spilling a drop.

  “In that case, I’m having the same dream!” she said, blue eyes so wide they were bulging.

  “This is no dream. I simply tired of this tedious mess. I am already pgued by endless flirting.” Tan sounded a little peevish, and I apologised.

  “Sorry, but could you calm down?” I asked, and with a grunt, Tan relinquished her hold.

  “Sorry about that.” Shiro said, ba charge. “She’s right though. This is the quickest way. Now, you want to do Chirurgery on them, right?”

  I nodded. “It hurts a lot, I won’t lie, but you’ll feel twenty years younger, healthier and full of energy. More importantly, you’ll be safer. Nobody will expect pensioo have the strength of young adults in their prime or more.”

  “Evelyn, do please lie down-down.” Shaeu said, patting the sofa. “Akio, I shall handle my new grandmother.”

  “Got you. Well, Jack, looks like you’re in my hands.” I grinned. “I’ll be as gentle as I .”

  At my smile he crossed himself, but nodded. It was a few moments ter that harsh grunts and sobbing could be heard, filling the room for several minutes. When we were done, Jad Evelyn took it in turns sh, washing off the sweat from their exhausted bodies. While they did that, we started pag for them.

  “This album is great!” Shiro ughed, having found the same ohat my grandparents had shown the girls st time. “So many embarrassing pictures of you.”

  “Laugh it up. I’ll find your album one day.”

  “I guess.” She said soberly, and I cursed myself for being iive. Seeing that, Shiro managed a small smile. “Don’t look like that, Aki. What I love about you is you treat me like me, nile gss Shiro, who might break at a touch. I was thinking I do need some closure with my parents. I’m sure they have photos of young me somewhere.”

  “Yes, there are none-none of us.” Shaeu said, stuffing clothes into a case. Hyath nodded, as she did a final , so the pce would be left sparkling. As Evelyn and Jack came back, freshly dressed, they looked around, surprised.

  “You work fast. Definitely wife material.” Jack said, and Shiro flushed.

  “The Yamato Nadeshiko is an archetype for a reason! I’m the epitome of a graceful Japanese beauty!” she boasted unvingly.

  “It’s just numbers. We all work fast.” I crified. “Although Hyath has genuine skills. She is the greatest maid in the world though.”

  She puffed out her chest at that, and Jack asked us where we were staying.

  “Uh, the Pace.”

  “Which Pace?” Jack asked, and I raised an eyebrow.

  “Is there more than one? Oh, I guess there is. Bugham Pace. You know, with the Queen? Makes sense, as we ’t go out in public without a disguise right now, and we’re still iiations.”

  “Oh yes, Bugham Pace. Right. That sounds…” Jack froze, going pale, and Evelyn would have dropped something again, if she was carrying it.

  “Why so shocked. Am I not-not a princess myself? These are the circles we move in now-now. Akio, I have called, and apparently the helicopter d-nd on the green outside. It should be here shortly.”

  “Helicopter?” Jack said, and as we gathered their heavy bags, packed with all their clothes, ies aimental objects, I smiled.

  “Of course. Every minute of our time is precious, we ’t waste it on travelling too slowly.” The sound of rotors could be heard outside, and now, our disguises off, as we ushered my grandparents to the helicopter, I could see the neighbour’s curtain twitg, so I waved at them cheerily. Hyath, Shiro and Shaeu followed suit, and I saw our watcher tumble backwards, shocked and stunned. Yes, that was fun. I have to say, Jad Evelyn took things rather well. Not that they couldn’t, what with the press running the story non-stop, and Tan’s appearance… While it was helpful in these circumstances, and was allowing us to advance a lot of pns, there were dowoo, to the truth being out, which I expected we would find quite quickly, and the effects would be long-sting…

  *********

  Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Diana Windsor

  “So, these are yrandparents? We are most delighted to make their acquaintance.” Eleanrandmother said, not putting on airs, addressing them warmly. The two elderly people were frozen, seemingly uo believe they were in the Pace, meeting the Queen.

  “Yes. But go easy ohey’re not used to this yet.” Akio said, and Eleanor shook her head in disbelief.

  “And you are? In just a few short months?”

  As Eleanor said that, she felt a bit sorry, as his grandparents suddenly looked terrified. It was then Hyath scowled at her, her violet eyes hard. I don’t know why I let my mouth run away with me with him. I have to stop it… “I apologise. I must still be feeling stressed from ret events.”

  “We see why.” The Queen said gently. “We have discovered Mary Stuart’s Avalon… no, Territory, as you call it. The name cks grandeur, we think, but it is serviceable.” The Queen smiled, gesturing to the drinks oable. Shaeu and Shiro were already helping themselves, and Eleanor found it endearing, if a little rude.

  “Yes.” Her grandmother tinued. “We have had many calls with our terparts in Japan, the Prime Minister does nothing but pin he is snowed under, and even though he received his wele trade deal that will get the tabloids off his back for a while, Japan has mao bloody our nose on many favourable deals. Really, Akio, you have made quite the profit from us.” Her smile showed she meant no offehe charming, fht grandmother she knew and loved. Hearing that Henry should be ready to start the regrowth of his limbs tomorrow has lifted her spirits. The doctors will be able t him out of the a then.

  “Akio is the face-face of Japan.” Shaeu said proudly, puffing out her meagre chest. “It is only natural for him to prioritise his homend, is it not-not?”

  “True.” The Queen ceded. “But we are greatly pleased to know that Akio is indeed also a British citizen, one of our subjects.” Her smile turned impish, making her look younger, eyes twinkling. “In fact, in discussions with the Prime Minister and my dear granddaughter here, as well as my son, we believe it is more than appropriate to fer upon him a Knighthood. After all, he has taken up his sword for the realm and my dear granddaughter.”

  I did agree. It’s only fair. Besides… Eleanor held in a smile as his face froze, enjoying his disfort. It shouldn’t always be me on the back foot. And I do think if anyone deserves to be a Knight… it’s you.

  “I’m fairly certain British citizens are the only ohat be knighted. I suppose you mean an honorary one, but… well, the Japanese system isn’t quite the same, but I’ll be marrying into Takatsukasa house, so it could cause problems.”

  “No, we mean what we said, a Knighthood.” The Queen chuckled, swirling her brandy and taking a sip happily. “Yes, you may not be a citizen, you renounced your nationality when you moved to Japan, as did your mother. But that is a Japanese ceit. We allow dual nationality. And now, so do you. We read your ws with great i. Some, Eleanor has had to expin to us, and even she does not uand the purpose of all of them.”

  “Grandmother…” Eleanor hissed, embarrassed. I hate showing off my ck of knowledge. It isn’t my fault. Shiro told me he has a… yes, a knowledge cheat! Of course he knows more!

  “Of course we had to check the character of the man who wishes to ally with our precious granddaughter. As grandparents, you agree, right?”

  As Akio’s grandparents were addressed, the man, Jaodded. “That makes sense. As a father, when my daughter met her future husband, of course I checked to see if he was suitable for my little girl.”

  “I don’t think she means like that. She’s not talking marriage, dear.” Evelyn, his wife said, wide-eyed. “Our Akio is a fine young man. Just look at these girls, the others who visited retly too. They like him, so he must be kind to them.”

  “He sure is.” Shiro ughed, enjoying watg me squirm.

  “Look, that’s beside the point…” Akio began, but Eleanor knew he was ered, and was relishing it. Some payback at st…

  “No, we think it is not. Holders of these special passports hold dual nationality. And to take advantage of the polygamy ws, one must currently be a special passport holder. Ergo, you be British. Well, we overstate it. be is wrong. The Fary has already overseen the dots.” Grandmestured, and a servant brought over a neort. Akio took it, sweating.

  “Is that even legal, without my permission?”

  “Oh, do not be so timid.” The Queen ughed. “We cleared this with your Prime Minister, and I spoke to Shige myself, since he seems to be ag as your sponsor in the Japanese nobility. Yes, accepting fn honours may cause trouble, especially with the popuce up in arms about Kyoto. Anti-ese se is rife there, as much as some pushback against the Church is here. A sad thing. We do not hold the good people of the Catholic Churor their worshippers responsible for the crimes of Mary Stuart. Though should this Church of New Revetions persist, then we shall take steps.”

  Grandmother is kind. I know that. Me… I would find it hard to trust them again. What… what do we do? Akio is still holding baformation. I uand why, but it frustrates me.

  “Yes, I think the bes are outweighed by the risks. I’m fttered though.” Akio demurred, only for her grandmother to lean forwards, eyeing him like a hawk.

  “Oh, really? But we were so sure that your dear sister would be simply delighted, were her big brother to receive the reition he so richly deserves. She would be a guest of honour at the New Year Honours ceremony, along with all your dear fiancées. Picture the se, the eyes of the world on you, her eyes sparkling as she watches her dear brother honoured by us ourselves. Then we would be more than happy to give her the Royal treatment. We are sure our dear Eleanor would love to meet her too.”

  “Actually, I really would.” Eleanor snickered, enjoying the look of shod defeat on his face. She was right, this will work! “As a sister who has suffered with foolish brothers, I expect we would have mu on.” She crossed her arms and gave Akio a smug look.

  “All right, which of you suggested this?” Akio eyed his women, and both Shaeu and Shiro ughed happily.

  “Give it up, Aki. To be ho, I think it’d be incredible to be married to an actual Knight.” Shiro said.

  “Indeed. I do believe it is less-less than you deserve.” Shaeu agreed proudly. “Though you shall be a Prince of the Seelie, it does not-not hurt to add to your stature.”

  “Well said. As for you, Shaeu my dear, we will proceed as agreed. You hold these special passports and are a citizen of Japan, but we know that is a fi. A clever one, but a fi heless.”

  “What does she mean?” Akio asked, puzzled, and Shaeu snickered.

  “While you and Hyath were w on the Ring Gates again-again, I was in discussion with the Queen, trying to secure her cooperation for your pn.” Shaeu stared at Eleanor then, her face stern, and Eleanor looked down.

  I know. In the end… I’m going to crack. What choice do I have? Grandmother has left it up to me, and… I am not ungrateful, I am not. But… to ask this… if I was to surrender, I o make sure that I ever be betrayed, that Britain bes. “You ask a lot. But this is one small way to repay us.”

  “Yes, Lady of the Garter.” Shaeu grinned. “Though it shall cause much-much sternation in the Seelie Court… I believe ties between mortals and Fae should be increased. And I wish t honour to my husband, is that so-s?”

  “We have some sternation, as to whether she would be a Stranger Lady, being royalty not of our isle. But then, the Seelie Court is desded from many Fae lineages of this isle. We find it most perplexing. But we have time to think. Su award would not be made until the New Year.” She fixed Akio with her gaze, while Hyath was f his shell-shocked grandparents.

  “Akio. We may seem selfish. We are. We have to think of the good of this isle. We have to protect the Tower, though we have had to pass this duty down to Eleanor. We still grieve over that, and what that has cost her. Her innoce, certainly.”

  “Grandmother!” Eleanor flushed red, sdalised. “Don’t phrase it like that! I’m still a.. ugh, no, no, no!” Eleanor suddenly turned away, burying her fa a cushion, throwing a tantrum like a child, barely catg her grandmother’s words.

  “We know you are holding knowledge we he girls here, they hint at it, trying to make us bite. And bite we shall. We would bind you to us, just as you are to Japan. After all, your mother, she would not wish her homend to fall in the fires of camity, would she? Would your sister not like to discover the other half of her heritage? sider this a token. We offer more. Though the Prime Minister pins we have already been bled dry.” She coughed, and Eleanor slowly lowered the cushion, her faow just pink, her breathing bader trol. I don’t want to think of or imply such things with him here… how mortifying! Grandmother has a wicked sense of humour, but I wish she wouldn’t tease me…

  “Mary Stuart is in our custody. It is quite the miracle she is not dead, they tell us, but she gs on tenaciously, though her mind seems afflicted. We fouerritory, terbury Cathedral. It makes some sehough it is now a Church of Engnd Cathedral, it was inally a Catholie, and the oldest remaining in Britain. We are not sure how to proceed though, nor with the Territories of those who betrayed us.”

  Eleanhed, looking at Akio pensively. “I’m not a fool. Leaving Sarah, Donovan…” she shuddered, remembering. I only looked through the window of his cell, and he was strapped to the bed, ranting and raving. He looked like a different person. Shaeu was cruel, but then… he wao… no, he got what he deserved. Whether Max Power instigated him, like Shaeu says, that’s irrelevant. It’s not like he was mind trolled, at least Akio doesn’t seem to think so. So persuaded or not, it was his own choices… “… the others, it’s a risk. A big one. But… if we destroy their Anchors, as you call our banners, what then? We’ve lost so many, if we sure all the traitors, Britain’s power will plummet. We ’t do this alone.”

  “I believe you tell them more-more.” Shaeu observed. “That was the clusion reached, was it not-not?”

  Akio nodded. “This information is priceless a. It’s not something easily disclosed.”

  “We will take whatever we , for the good of Britain, even if we are unfair. But… granddaughter…” she eyed Eleanor. “… do you think we should meet his price?”

  Shaeu spoke first. “Eleanor, we have talked, have we not-not? I have been open with you. You have recourse, power, though you know it not-not. All you have to do is reach out and accept our hands.”

  Eleanor nodded. “I’ll give him what he wants. But… Akio…” Eleanor fixed him with a stern, unyielding blue-eyed gre. “If you prove unworthy of our trust, if you betray Britain, if you do not do as promised you will regret it. I’ll not try a you, as if I could…” she ughed mogly, knowing it was futile to sider it. That battle I saw… currently, I py no part in those sorts of flicts. Gathering her will, she tinued. “… no, should you betray me. I will simply kill myself there and then.”

  Her grandmasped, as did Akio’s grandparents, stunned. Shaeu ughed, while Shiro nodded, saying “That makes sense. Aki’s big ot there…”

  “Yooou think your death is wooorthy of causing him sorrow?” Hyath said coldly, and Eleanor stood, pushing out her chest with pride.

  “Actually, Hyath, I do. I used to think I was a good judge of character. It turns out I am rather dim. But I judge this, and others have firmed my guess. Akio, you put everything into saving me, risking yourself and those under your care for me. I hardly think you did it because you like me. We had never eve.” Somehow that’s frustrating. It makes me feel unimportant. “But this Diviner of yours saw something in me, something perhaps you need. So I will deny you that. But more importantly… when you see me dead, my throat opened by my own hand, my eyes acg you, I don’t think you would be able to sleep again.” Her lips curved into a satisfied smile. “You are too soft-hearted. So bear this in mind. My life is in your hands. I ot survive another betrayal. I will not.”

  “I wasn’t going to betray you anyway. I don’t hreatening.” Eleanor’s eyes gleamed as Akio looked rather insulted. “But no, don’t kill yourself, Eleanor. It’s those who are left behind that would suffer. And whether I need you or not… I’m going to work you hard. So, our mutual defence pact, Territory upgrade pad emergency issue pact are all sealed?” He held out his hand, and Eleanor looked trandmother.

  “In the end, we are not able to fight. You are the heir to the Tower and what lies beh.”

  “Fine.” Eleanrasped his hand, and smiled. “I look forward t with you. Learning from you too. Though I fear at first we might need some charity. We bled… and lost.”

  “Yes. I’ll tell you a bit about how to reformat your Territory, though if all goes well, that might not be an issue. It depends oher we finish the Ring Gate a w…”

  “Nooot a problem. Hyath is fident it will wooork!” she shouted happily.

  “In that case… let’s talk about Divine Favours and what I think you should do.” Akio said, before he looked at his women, his expression sardonic. “But first… I want to know just who told Eleanor to threaten me like that? Own up and the punishment will be lighter…”

  At that, Shiro and Shaeu grumbled, and Eleanor couldn’t help but burst out ughing, a great weight off her shoulders, now that she had made the moal decision to accept his terms. I don’t actually think he will betray me. But… if he does, I’ll live in his nightmares forever, and never let him sleep peacefully again. I swear it…

  ShipTeaser